“It’s only going to change in a deep meaningful way when there’s a cultural change in how we view buying and selling human beings for sexual gratification,” Schmidt said.

Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt

Christine McDonald was forced into human trafficking at the young age of 15 and couldn’t get out for 21 years.

“I can’t tell you how many days and hours I would just stand here and be like, ‘Am I invisible? Can somebody just see me and say, Here, can I help you?’ and it just never happens,” McDonald said as she visited the intersection where she was trafficked.

She said there was a lot of dysfunction in her life, which contributed to her being vulnerable and ultimately ending up on the streets.

“I was actually befriended by a guy that gave me a place to stay, provided me housing, all these great things,” McDonald said. “He earned my trust. We call that the grooming process.”